Mining machine



- June 30, 1925.

M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed June.13, 1921 Patented June 30, 1925.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFIcE.

MORRIS P. HOLMES, 0F CLAREMQNT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNQIE; TD SULLIVANMACHINERY CDMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING MACHINE;

Application filed June 13, 1921, Serial No. 477,042,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Momns P. HoLMns, a citizen of the United States,residing at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of NewHampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MiningMachines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification.

My invention relates to mining machines.

It has for its object to provide an improved take-up mechanism for suchmachines. Another object of my invention is to provide an improvedtake-up mechanism adapted to be applied to machines utilizing acontinuous flexible feeding member. A further object of my invention isto provide an improved take-up mechanism wherein the take-up mechanismis exceedingly compact and adapted to be disposed upon a standard typeof mining machine in such a manner as to maintain the desired limitedover-all dimensions thereof and at the same time be conveniently locatedfor an operator. These and other advantages of my improved constructionwill, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the. accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration,one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mining machine equipped with myimprovement.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a mining machine so equippedin use in a mine room. 4

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine of thegeneral type described and claimed in my (JO-pending application, SerialNo. 312,3i6, filed July 21, 1919, it being suflicient herein. to saythat the same comprises a machine framel'carl'ying a cutter bar 2 havinga cutter chain 3 thereon and a feed operating member 4 rotatable on atransverseiaxis and adapted to cooperate with' a flexible feeding member5, the machine being moved relative to the flexible feeding member whenthe latter is suitably'fixed and thefeed operating memher is rotated inthe desired direction under the control of suitable con'tro-llingandreversing mechanism, as for instance a plurality of controlling Wheels6; Inasmuch as the feeding mechanism within the ma hine does notspecifically enter into the present invention, a detailed description ofthe same herein 1S believed to be unnecessary.

In my mproved construction, it will be noted that an improved take-upmember 7 4 is pivoted at 8 on the side of the machine frame and in rearof the feed operating member, the take-up member herein being rotatableon an axis parallel to that of the feed operating member and cooperatingtherewith and with a small idler 9 located on a parallel axis in rear ofthe feed operating member and between the latter and the pivoted take-upmember. Herein, the

take-up member is located on a pivot substantially directly in rear ofthe axis of the feed operating member and is provided with a long upperarm 10 and a relatively shorter lower. arm 11, the end of the upper armcarrying an idler 12 and the end of the lower arm carrying an idler 13,,and each of the idlers being of the same size as the feed operatingmember 4. As shown, the flexible feeding member 5 during cutting acrossthe face preferably extends from the left hand rib to and around theadjacent front idler of the machine, herein rotatableon a vertical axisand indicated at 14, rearward to the idler 13, around and over thatidler,

under and over the feed operating member t to the idler 12, around andbelow that idler to the idler 9, around and below that idler rearwardlyto the adjacent rear idler 15 of the machine and from that idler to therighthand rib, the idler 15 being herein rotatable on a vertical axis ina plane above the plane of rotation of the idler 14:, As shown herein,the member 7 is also adapted to move about its pivot from the full lineposition shown in Fig. 1 to the dotted line position shown therein andthus vary the slack in the flexible feeding member. To hold the memher 7in its various positions, I have also provided improved means hereinincluding a rod 16 which maybe suitably connected pivotally to themember 7, herein at the axis of the idler 12, and have its rear endthefull line to the dotted line position in Fig. 1. I

In the operation of my improved construction, it will be understoodthat, prior to sumping, the take-up mechanism occupies the full lineposition shown in Fig. 1 and that one end of the flexible member 5 isconnected to a jack 19 at the rib as, shown in Fig. 2. Thus when thefeed operating member 4 is rotated the machine will be caused to travelalong the flexible feeding member 5 toward the face, from the positionshown at the right in Fig. 2. When the bar has been sumped andtheoppositeends of the flexible feeding member havebeen connected to theleft hand and right hand ribs, as to jacks 20 and 21, the machine may bestraightened for the transverse cut by simply rotating the feedoperating member and re leasing the set screw 18, the pull of theflexible feeding member straightening the machine and the take-up partsmoving from their full line to their dotted line position shown in Fig.1, and being locked in that oosition by again tightening the set screw.

hen for any reason it is desired to angle the bar during a transversecut, this may be readily accomplished by simply reversing the feedoperating member to create slack and permit a resetting of the take-upmember 7 at the desired angle, the machine then being free to beoperatedagain as heretofore described. v

In all take-up operations of the mechanism it will also be obvious thatdue to the movement of the idler 13, the feed is eased in such a manneras not to load the machine excessively, the movement of the member 13toward the member 4 tending to insert slack in the advance or tightportion of the flexible feeding member and thereby slow down the feed asthe member 12 takes up the slack in the receding or loose portion of themember 5. V 7

As a result of my improvement, itxwill be observed that an exceedinglysimple construction is produced which, during straightening the machine,is operated by the pull on the flexible feeding member and without anyeffort on the part of the operator, although the mechanism is entirelyunder his control from his usual position at the left hand side of themachine as it makes its cut.

It will also be -noted that the mechanism is extremely rugged and isalso compactly disposed within the usual lines of a machine and in sucha manner as not to in any way interfere with the movements of theoperator;

While I have in this application specifically described one embodimentwhich my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood thatthe same has been chosen for illustrative purposes and that theinvention may be modified and embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. What Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y K

1. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guidingmecha nism for said frame including flexible feed ing means includingflexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacent oppositeends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull of one of saidportions while both are under tension to shorten the then recedingportion; f 2. A' flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feedingand guiding mechanism for said frame including flexible feeding meansincluding flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacentopposite ends of said frame, takeup means operable by the pull of one ofsaid portions while both are under tension to shorten the then recedingportion, and operator] controlled means for freeing said takeup meansfor operation asspecified and for holding the same against operation.

3. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guidingmechanism for said frame including a single con tinuous flexible feedingmember providing flexible portions extending oppositelyfrom pointsadjacent oppositeends of said frame, and takeup means operable by thepull of one of said portions while both are under tenslon.

4. A flexibly fed mining machine'having a frame and feeding and guidingmechanism for said frame including a single continuous flexible feedingmember providing flexible portions extending oppositely from pointsadjacent opposite ends of said frame, take up means operable the pull ofone of said portions while both are under tension, and operatorcontrolled means for freeing said takeup means for operation asspecified and for holding the same against operation.

5. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feedingand guidingmechanism for said frame including a. single flexible feeding memberprovidingflexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacentopposite ends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull ofthe advance one of said portions While both are under tension to shortenthe then receding portion.

the same against operation...

7. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guidingmecha-.

nism for said frame including a single continuous flexible feedmg memberprovidlng flexible portions extending oppositely from points adjacentopposite ends of said frame, and takeup means operable by the pull ofthe advance one of said portions while both are under tension.

8. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guidingmechanism for said frame including a single continuous flexible feedingmember providing flexible portions extending oppositely frompointsadjacent opposite'ends of said frame, takeup means operable by theull of the advance one of said portions \vhi e both are under tension,and operator controlled means for freeing said takeup means foroperation as specified and for holding the same against operation.

9. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating member thereonat one side of said machine, and a take-up member thereon at the sameside of said machine adapted to take up and remove slack on oppositesides of said feed operating member.

10,. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith and a take upmember on said frame cooperating with said flexible feeding memb eradapted to insert and remove different quantities of slack on oppositesides of said feed operating member and operable by the pull on saidflexible feeding member while the portions at opposite sides of saidfeed operating member are both under tension.

11. In a mining machine,a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, and a take-up mechanism thereon operative simultaneously to"insert and remove slack on opposite sides of said feed operatingmember'and including a pivoted member oscillatable in a vertical planeparallel to the major dimension of-the machine frame.

12. In a mining machine,a feed operating member thereon, a flexiblefeeding member, and a take-up mechanism said 'frame opera tivesimultaneously to insert and remove different quantities of slack onopposite sides of said feed operating member and including a pivotedmember oscillatable in a vertical plane parallel to the major dimensionof the machine frame.

13.. In a mining machine, a machine frame, afeed Operating memberthereon, and takeup mechanism thereon operative simultaneously to insertand remove slack on opposite sides of said feed operating member atdifferent rates and including a pivoted member oscillatable in avertical plane parallel to the major dimension of the machine frame. i

14. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flc-Xible feeding member cooperating therewith, and take-upmechanism operating on said flexible feeding member and controlled by anoperator and operated by the pull of said flexible feeding member whencompletely re leased.

15, In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and take-upmechanism operating 011 said flexible feeding member and operated by thepull of said flexible feeding member and operative to take up and insertslack on opposite sides of said feed operating member While the portionsof said flexible feeding member at the opposite sides of said feedoperating member are both under tension.

16. In a mining machine, a machine frame, feeding means thereonincluding a plurality of flexible feeding portions, a feed operatingmember, and take-up mechanism operated by the pull on one of saidflexible portions and operable to take up and insert differentquantities of slack on opposite sides of said feed operating memberwhile both of said portions are under tension.

17. In amining machine, a machine frame,

a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperatingtherewith, and a horizontally pivoted take-up member on said frameadjustable to take up slack in the loose side of the flexible feedingmember and insert slack in the tight side thereof.

18. In a mining machine, a machine frame,

a feed operating member thereon, a flexible feeding member cooperatingtherewith, and a horizontally pivoted take-up member on said frameadjustable to take up slack in the loose side of said flexible memberwhile inserting a smaller amount of slack in the tight side thereof.

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame, I

a feed operating member rotatable upon a horizontal axis on the sidethereof, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and a take-upmember on said frame adjustable to take up slack in the loose side ofthe flexible feeding member and insert slack in the tight side thereofand adapted to be held in fixed position irrespective of the rotation ofthe feed operating member, 17

when desired.

20. In amining machine, a'machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, and a take-upmember on the same side of said frame as said feed operating memberadjustable to take up slack in the loose side of the flexible feedingmember and insert slack in thetight side thereof.

21. In a mining machine, a machine frame,

a feed operating member thereon, a flexible.

-- In having idieis engaging said flexlble feeding member on the tightand slack sides of the latter and movable in the plane of said feedoperating member. a

23. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexiblefeeding member cooperating there with, and a take-upmember horizontally pivoted on said frame adjacent one of its ends andengagable with said flexible feeding member on OPPOSilIGiSlClGS of saidfeed operating member. a

24. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism includingflexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism includinga pivoted lever moving in a vertical plane having provision forrelieving the load on said advance portion during the take up operation.

25. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism includingflexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism operablewhile said portions are "under tension toshorten-said receding portionand havingprovision for relieving the load on' sald advance portionduringthe take up operation and operated by the pull on said advanceportion.

26. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism includingflexible advance and receding portions, and take-up mechanism operablewhile said portions are under tension to shorten said receding portionand having provision for relieving the load on said advance portionduring the take up operation and releasable by an-oper- 27. A miningmachine having flexible feeding mechanism including a continuousflexible feeding member having flexible advance and receding portions,and take-up mechanism including a pivoted lever moving in a verticalplane having PIOVISIOII for relieving the loadxon said advance portion.during the take up operation.

under tensionand-hzivingprovision for relieving the load onsaid advanceportion during the take up operation and operated by the pull on saidadvance portion. 7

29. A mining .machine having flexible feeding mechanismincluding acontinuous flexible feeding member having flexible advance andreceding'portions,and take-up mechanism operable while said portions areunder tension and having provision for relieving the load on saidadvance portion during the take up operationand releasable by anoperator or adapted to be held stationary as desired, i a

.30. A mining machine having flexible feeding mechanism includingflexible advance and receding portions, and manually controlled take-upmechanism operative to vary the angular position. of said machine andhaving provision for automatically relieving the load on said advanceportion during the take up operation, said take-up mechanism includingalever pivotable in a plane making an angle with the plane of angularadjustment of said machine frame during its movementsat a working face.

31. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, a take-upmember pivoted on said frame adjacent one of its ends and engagable withsaid flexible feeding member on 0pposite sides of said feed operatingmember, and means for holding said take-up member in different positionsirrespective of .continued rotation of said feed operatingmemberrotatable upon a horizontal axis.

32. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewitlntake-upmechanism operated by the pull of, said flexible feeding member andoperative to take up and insert slack on opposite sides of said feedoperating member while the portions of said flexible feeding memberat'opposite sides of said feed operating member are under tension, andmeans for holding said mechanism in different positions as long asdesired during operation of said feed operating member. 5

.33. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a

flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, a cooperating idlerrotatable on a fixed axis on saidframe, a pivoted idler carrying memberpivoted adjacent one of its ends on all) said frame and in rear of saidfeed operating member and its cooperating idler, idlers on the ends ofsaid pivoted member, and means for holding said member in differentangular positions.

34. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating therewith, a cooperatingidler rotatable on a fixed axis on said frame, a horizontally pivotedidler carrying .member pivoted on said machine frame in rear of the axisof said cooperating idler at a point adjacent the lower end of saidpivoted member, idlers carried on the opposite ends of said pivotedmember, and means for holding said pivoted member in different positionsof adjustment as long as desired while said feed operating memberoperates.

35. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a feed operating memberthereon, a flexible feeding member cooperating there with, a cooperatingidler rotatable on a fixed axis on said frame, a pivoted idler carryingmember pivoted on said machine frame in rear of the axis of saidcooperating idler at a point adjacent the lower end of said pivotedmember, idlers carried on the opposite ends of said pivoted member, andmeans including a rod connected to the upper end of said pivoted memberand slidably connected to said frame for holding said pivoted member indifferent positions of adjustment.

36. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on a mine bottom andhaving flexible lateral feeding means including flexible feedingportions extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of saidmachine, and feed operating and take-up mechanism cooperating with saidportions and disposed on the advancing side of said machine andincluding a feed operating member rotatable on a transverse axis and anadjustable take-up member rotatable on a parallel axis to effect itsfunction.

37. A room and pillar mining machine slidable on a mine bottom andhaving flexible lateral feeding means including a continuous flexiblefeeding member presenting flexible feeding portions extending inopposite directions from the opposite ends of said machine, and feedoperating and takeup mechanism cooperating with said portions anddisposed on the advancing side of said machine and including a feedoperating member rotatable on a transverse axis and an adjustabletake-up member rotatable on a parallel axis to effect its function.

38. The combination with a mining machine slidable on its bottom upon amine bottom during cutting, of flexible feeding and machine guidingmeans therefor including a flexible feed member, a feed operating membercooperating therewith, and means cooperating with said flexible feedmember and operated by the pull of the latter to angle the machinerelative to a face in a direction opposite to that in which the pull onsaid member tends to turn the machine about the cutter bar as a pivot.

39. A flexibly fed mining machine having a frame and feeding and guidingmechanism including flexible feeding means including flexible portionsextending oppositely from points adjacentopposite ends of said frame,and takeup means operable while both portions are under tension by thepull on the portion in advance of said frame to shorten the other ofsaid portions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

Certificate of Correction,

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,544,074, grantedJune 30, 1925, upon the application of Morris P. Holmes, of Claremont,New Hampshire, for an improvement in Mining Machines, errors appear inthe printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line12, claim 10, after the word therewith insert a comma; same page, line6.1, claim 12, after the word mechanism insert the Word on; page 1, line102, claim 31, after the word thereon and before the comma insert theWords rotatable upon a horizontal axis, and line 111, strike out theWords rotatable upon a horizontal axis and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of August, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] v KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

